tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30733806554628793622024-03-18T20:45:56.434-07:00A Pile Of French StonesA Journal of our life in the beautiful Normandy CountrysideMichelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073380655462879362.post-41149056578515028062014-12-01T04:34:00.000-08:002014-12-01T11:29:18.771-08:00A Very Humbling Pilgrimage<div class="MsoNormal">
When Max and I married, nearly ten years ago now, we never
imagined that the boy from Bournemouth and the girl from Leicester could have
such a shared family history. Both of
our families originate from Somerset where bizarrely our Great-grandmothers,
worked together at the same shoe factory.
But the co-incidence didn’t end there.
Max would often mention his great-uncle Willie, who served with the
Somerset Light Infantry and who died in Battle for Arras in 1918, one of the
many whose body was never found and who is commemorated on the Memorial to the
Missing in Arras. </div>
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I knew that I had a great uncle that died in the Great
War. His photo and the “missing in
action” letter are safe in the family bible but much more than that I didn’t
know. Well thank you Internet. A bit of Googling and
time spent on Ancestry.com and I found that my Uncle Edwin also died in 1918
and also served with the Somerset Light Infantry. Unlike, Uncle Willie, he does have a grave, or a least a headstone in a tiny CWWG Cemetery in a little town called Ayette about 10km from Arras.</div>
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Since then we have been back to the area several times to "visit" but we always promised ourselves that we would go back on 11 November 2014. So at a time in the morning I haven't seen in a long while, we made the three hours trip over to The Somme. As they are in different places we decided that we would do the 11am service at Theipval and move north from there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6Eo-0mfIDQFon9Bps4Ie8tg5TU3f9tsfjchyphenhyphenN6mbJ8C9M0DJPCWEQNcLhvIoI0mXwFAeKGiBYjF6bT0gNb9A36A7H2OS98IB6pnAXbeDSxZOJWj8ptCx-24LwVeEvIBBoUjA2GoU0lU/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6Eo-0mfIDQFon9Bps4Ie8tg5TU3f9tsfjchyphenhyphenN6mbJ8C9M0DJPCWEQNcLhvIoI0mXwFAeKGiBYjF6bT0gNb9A36A7H2OS98IB6pnAXbeDSxZOJWj8ptCx-24LwVeEvIBBoUjA2GoU0lU/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a>I don’t think anything can prepare you for that drive north from Albert. It certainly doesn't get any easier. Starting with the sign marking the place of The Front on 1<sup>st</sup>
July 1916 to the to the sign, just <i>seven</i> miles further up the road,
marking the place of The Front in November 1916, it is cemetery, after
cemetery, after cemetery. </div>
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easily recognisable with the pristine white Portland stone tombstones and the
immaculate lawns. Just when you
think there cannot possibly be any more, there is another, and another and then
another; by the side of the road, in the mid-distance, on the horizon. </div>
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Then dominating that horizon is
the magnificent Memorial to the Missing at Theipval. The early morning mist was very fitting for such a day. It soon burnt off and gave us a crisp sunny November morning, with the beautiful autumn colours of the leaves.</div>
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Standing there <span style="text-align: justify;">looking out across the
tranquil landscape, it is impossible to imagine the carnage that had taken
place there.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Impossible to equate the
green fields, the tractors and the hum of traffic, to the black and white
photographs, of trenches and mud and desolation.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Impossible to believe that the 72,000 men listed there, fell, </span><i style="text-align: justify;">just
in those fields </i><span style="text-align: justify;">and have no known grave; even harder to imagine that this
is just </span><i style="text-align: justify;">one</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> such memorial.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the wreaths laid</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthn-j9L9ej6usE6-vPeJ65uLkLW0WCMxEjj1QMztc-Yk8j8YmHl7-cUh35L3QPZ506JdgQjB3U6is58EakqemrkDOK-zQeifQpWKru-NmLDGNr_yjOAIn3R1MK_zeHgAuY1aFETNKPb4/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthn-j9L9ej6usE6-vPeJ65uLkLW0WCMxEjj1QMztc-Yk8j8YmHl7-cUh35L3QPZ506JdgQjB3U6is58EakqemrkDOK-zQeifQpWKru-NmLDGNr_yjOAIn3R1MK_zeHgAuY1aFETNKPb4/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpOR_nJvR7QfzDuCAtHsLq1K3LeC0HSIWGGWU0z8_D4X-qdtZ9KN-ywo6w9UZ6Jf-eb_PcVWKrN0OdOclDhGAYOJAY7pYzHFmyxRB9dUQOJF2X1_7NIveoZ1qvYa6_ZFkgJNoD7oLJ0k/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpOR_nJvR7QfzDuCAtHsLq1K3LeC0HSIWGGWU0z8_D4X-qdtZ9KN-ywo6w9UZ6Jf-eb_PcVWKrN0OdOclDhGAYOJAY7pYzHFmyxRB9dUQOJF2X1_7NIveoZ1qvYa6_ZFkgJNoD7oLJ0k/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;">We found the commemoration to G.H.J Bramble of the </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Hampshire Regiment. He and his brother were Sopley boys </span><span style="text-align: justify;">both killed on that first day of the Battle of the Somme. Their names are listed on the memorial stone in Sopely Church. One has a grave, the other does not. The family line died out with them, as it probably did for so many others named there. A sad feeling of what might have been....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9K-XoKZSuHufS_rXXTJU1xZ-GiZMNJ5EDzBYqP_K19_xnd2S4mK8z2ebphkLm7ca3FPEuIzpYXQ_K-ufO3YGywGoqlhTVsC0reANTtmqTZj_H3w9mN-ZJvenb2gQ4Tno7Du60bVghg4/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9K-XoKZSuHufS_rXXTJU1xZ-GiZMNJ5EDzBYqP_K19_xnd2S4mK8z2ebphkLm7ca3FPEuIzpYXQ_K-ufO3YGywGoqlhTVsC0reANTtmqTZj_H3w9mN-ZJvenb2gQ4Tno7Du60bVghg4/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0m57JSeQabcsBAi7uXRAIAbTsa4NBiYAXRYTFjf2DmlTO-crNqW2JS8rX_IuLodZlVe88ChnPINTug4wDyJY7PvckdycLKpLeA-bGJtBsIqRSLCnrmD6aGSKFaKIYjtuU7SF9-Vvobc/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0m57JSeQabcsBAi7uXRAIAbTsa4NBiYAXRYTFjf2DmlTO-crNqW2JS8rX_IuLodZlVe88ChnPINTug4wDyJY7PvckdycLKpLeA-bGJtBsIqRSLCnrmD6aGSKFaKIYjtuU7SF9-Vvobc/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a>The memorial service was carried out in English, but the programme was in both English and French and there were a significant number of French in attendance as will.<br />
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The band playing were the Hampshire Constabulary Band and they were BRILLIANT. A complete masterclass in how to play brass quietly and in tune!<br />
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It was a very very moving service AND we managed to have a good sing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrntrfkXNeaz7QwLtpMAHv2WBH9Zrz9eNyU0fTecNFxhtWtxjeNmEx7aWqFfy11I484VkJfRZZh5mnatoZkM3n2fWDZ-2OTWLE6OjayiS8tNKoYceUxKVNBIlwtAX90PwwgIHCiNICIE/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrntrfkXNeaz7QwLtpMAHv2WBH9Zrz9eNyU0fTecNFxhtWtxjeNmEx7aWqFfy11I484VkJfRZZh5mnatoZkM3n2fWDZ-2OTWLE6OjayiS8tNKoYceUxKVNBIlwtAX90PwwgIHCiNICIE/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAExpo8Uqqth2TFlm3h4zDCkEgvrsEaTT8axQVR0enTYnJzTWEcaKD8fHrwzNSwPEkOj1Rpk0ACk988fd8JFaiopgx19Q_sOYkGFhoVadkyWy7MlwSkd7eIV1v7KEipz33T5aPMJVhHSc/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAExpo8Uqqth2TFlm3h4zDCkEgvrsEaTT8axQVR0enTYnJzTWEcaKD8fHrwzNSwPEkOj1Rpk0ACk988fd8JFaiopgx19Q_sOYkGFhoVadkyWy7MlwSkd7eIV1v7KEipz33T5aPMJVhHSc/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a>From there we went up to Ayette to pay our respects to Great-Uncle Edwin. Or what is left of him. The cemetary was shelled about a week after he was buried, so although they know he is there, not of him might be in this plot! It's a lovely little cemetary of about 50 graves and 3 "special plots" (of with GUE is one) and as part of the on going work that the CWWG carry out, the surrounding wall is being replaced.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone piper plays the Last Post</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRscxhaSYnVn6HU0niGy5LnvfL1E4NhNQAtC0VkzRP6qtzMP9KXcIDH_JM15J42Ci7UR41SejTPSeX1wBzSgRqvzPdUMQIuaeuPID7Kf4fXW8G46oTFX4opqp-WYlf6Z7HDYLf7RPk40/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRscxhaSYnVn6HU0niGy5LnvfL1E4NhNQAtC0VkzRP6qtzMP9KXcIDH_JM15J42Ci7UR41SejTPSeX1wBzSgRqvzPdUMQIuaeuPID7Kf4fXW8G46oTFX4opqp-WYlf6Z7HDYLf7RPk40/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a>On to Arras and the Faubourg Memorial to the missing. Here Great Uncle Willie has his commemoration.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVJV0d_syiLpRoNZBF7d1Asbp-IfWb57-aNCvwgcL-zGIeU-7FCAWp_IG9i7s3DPde-UUafZdgNOaW8Fg80-f7IW79iVR87Yz6hNqFgRQ_FDRrAax9EXhWEkCNywO326zl0CN-EH_vuw/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVJV0d_syiLpRoNZBF7d1Asbp-IfWb57-aNCvwgcL-zGIeU-7FCAWp_IG9i7s3DPde-UUafZdgNOaW8Fg80-f7IW79iVR87Yz6hNqFgRQ_FDRrAax9EXhWEkCNywO326zl0CN-EH_vuw/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMHETmAyHcfhDjlOszvu4MwbvCf-0ak7TfT0XTdoNva1INSXWYKGxOTrY99lBA0wHL15LruyAhs3b8eKsbYz30pDXQyFguMKsKUu9ZDM2Kdq6p0eqKqLJSfKLMQysZc60ABUAPwLBF-4/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMHETmAyHcfhDjlOszvu4MwbvCf-0ak7TfT0XTdoNva1INSXWYKGxOTrY99lBA0wHL15LruyAhs3b8eKsbYz30pDXQyFguMKsKUu9ZDM2Kdq6p0eqKqLJSfKLMQysZc60ABUAPwLBF-4/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak5v9aVTG1vHtHGzroOO02INXVAys7D0BrXIgqb3_9MdgchtQHHCJRtFLjpILccLO1WGA5QRsto1RmHgqr_DsSrQnj4SN2GRMfzzxekgFOiJ6vQo6TpGWTaL6uEa9-sszuGAS8rhgLLU/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak5v9aVTG1vHtHGzroOO02INXVAys7D0BrXIgqb3_9MdgchtQHHCJRtFLjpILccLO1WGA5QRsto1RmHgqr_DsSrQnj4SN2GRMfzzxekgFOiJ6vQo6TpGWTaL6uEa9-sszuGAS8rhgLLU/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkayh3d2x6jc41lws7Yg47hZCaod7KmWzLBITTBe1DBb0ZUqkAJv_Ebt7rtb0Y8CVr4zfLnkL-SpjooKESu5oBuV-467NQRzJ8bm3gH9nct4KKtmExfn-4aTr0qB5rCab8hweU8tv-ow/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkayh3d2x6jc41lws7Yg47hZCaod7KmWzLBITTBe1DBb0ZUqkAJv_Ebt7rtb0Y8CVr4zfLnkL-SpjooKESu5oBuV-467NQRzJ8bm3gH9nct4KKtmExfn-4aTr0qB5rCab8hweU8tv-ow/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a>We finished the day by visiting the French Cemetery just outside Albert.<br />
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It was and always will be A Very Humbling Pilgramage.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073380655462879362.post-15070606306450003992014-12-01T03:47:00.003-08:002014-12-01T03:47:43.676-08:00And The Walls Came Tumbling Down....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not literally, but we seem to have packed a lot in over November, and then sometimes we seem not to have achieved much at all.<br />
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The end of October saw our first family visitors. Marten and Sally came over for a few days and we had what really was the last couple of good days of the Indian Summer. As we don't yet have a garden table, we got my George III tea table out of storage....it felt quite decedent...pity the chairs didn't make the grade! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEHz_9KTYdW1tjICqezqChk7n0xLxF5Ygy-8ckwFoUzg9eaDgphnHjtD1QVAaFPUqT2ZrA1_tr-Y6gFD5bCFwGZJPR1fo4q7OWaVPxUHN6B3x8wwCdPf11vJZCpgFfpvyJNyUIZD283s/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEHz_9KTYdW1tjICqezqChk7n0xLxF5Ygy-8ckwFoUzg9eaDgphnHjtD1QVAaFPUqT2ZrA1_tr-Y6gFD5bCFwGZJPR1fo4q7OWaVPxUHN6B3x8wwCdPf11vJZCpgFfpvyJNyUIZD283s/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Family Lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguszEmppWp5dfghmezSmQoRfXQx0efuIIFClsc9x5tSU6Mpt3RQwEHTJ2T7PLdqrZIOffM8vqSqU_WaaDwDGKK5q5XnSrKWU7AYzKi99dPHbnv1Nn9nH1DzEkmrRafbRaEuCfM52YA-yQ/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguszEmppWp5dfghmezSmQoRfXQx0efuIIFClsc9x5tSU6Mpt3RQwEHTJ2T7PLdqrZIOffM8vqSqU_WaaDwDGKK5q5XnSrKWU7AYzKi99dPHbnv1Nn9nH1DzEkmrRafbRaEuCfM52YA-yQ/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" height="200" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conkers Dorset Gin - Yum</td></tr>
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They came bearing gifts...malt vinegar..funny what you miss when it isn't available..and Conkers Dorset Gin made by Sally's nephew Rupert in his exciting new adventure. (<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/thatsthespirit" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">#thatsthespirit</a>) The botanicals include gorse collected in the New Forest and it really is the smoothest Gin I have ever tasted. Who needs tonic, just pour over ice! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzUvz7aKGRIbWvFXvsbnYFFNr77OwMgCbkdNuScpi8nOerxWLfOwVGlgfNzKX7GFEY_4uEBV3lBmsDK6wwWpmDZq40Y8UIbVduFxItWrmdrsAo78WEQwC3HqsTmI_iUBC8L01PsQUhb8/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzUvz7aKGRIbWvFXvsbnYFFNr77OwMgCbkdNuScpi8nOerxWLfOwVGlgfNzKX7GFEY_4uEBV3lBmsDK6wwWpmDZq40Y8UIbVduFxItWrmdrsAo78WEQwC3HqsTmI_iUBC8L01PsQUhb8/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our horrible porch wall</td></tr>
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It was lovely for Max to spend some time with his brother, and<br />
they did some brotherly bonding...knocking a wall down as you do. <br />
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The wall just inside the front door was always destined to go. It makes the room small and dark and whilst I don't really want a front door opening on to the living space, it is a compromise worth making. We have some ideas for expanding our Normandy porch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXqakZ9QfXv_K4tW_N7NemnUHATq_tCluGfiyFSultYH4k-VPew2NtoEimELToSZ4E_2svkd77aKitWq2miCJrHC2cZrZKyVK3CEqoWNfpfhHIvedMvxgYA1YYZpc3HkZFeuAfinQKs8/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXqakZ9QfXv_K4tW_N7NemnUHATq_tCluGfiyFSultYH4k-VPew2NtoEimELToSZ4E_2svkd77aKitWq2miCJrHC2cZrZKyVK3CEqoWNfpfhHIvedMvxgYA1YYZpc3HkZFeuAfinQKs8/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way there....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rc9iO61_ddwCiV73wui3pYtxLIScq0J0ISVK8CcChRvW-mEbr7HqQH9CNBYEaOmJZI-eUcPdLv8kWc34Xoy4lYDTyEW2dwzJ3yw18IW0fMSmWAJ8leIYgIu3aRBHDMjSCd0QEr8OK5k/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rc9iO61_ddwCiV73wui3pYtxLIScq0J0ISVK8CcChRvW-mEbr7HqQH9CNBYEaOmJZI-eUcPdLv8kWc34Xoy4lYDTyEW2dwzJ3yw18IW0fMSmWAJ8leIYgIu3aRBHDMjSCd0QEr8OK5k/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and gone!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWt91Yhq4_EjezHjcrR8TqsdKtpkkL35vZPhqTc496CH5GN1OopwHxb6cXHi-i63kxps3KF_ohcsHjaOOj_q_q_SIM0YvRrDCfFbi9wdT2koc2J-mJ8vVRF4lMVjvLgt1QTiHlqYHmSnM/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWt91Yhq4_EjezHjcrR8TqsdKtpkkL35vZPhqTc496CH5GN1OopwHxb6cXHi-i63kxps3KF_ohcsHjaOOj_q_q_SIM0YvRrDCfFbi9wdT2koc2J-mJ8vVRF4lMVjvLgt1QTiHlqYHmSnM/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made a difference already<br />...now for the main wall</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhZ9al9aP_BRk32hSJw69QmI8my2BrmpPJpmJuROWAojVZEJDNudDr96tCfeiVNAnsvub7u8VQbcz3EkuNWlf-_NYqTidhlWYMvU7eOHk95nvWIeiHnPKg8uALaavyIfeuh_x4WoC2ig/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhZ9al9aP_BRk32hSJw69QmI8my2BrmpPJpmJuROWAojVZEJDNudDr96tCfeiVNAnsvub7u8VQbcz3EkuNWlf-_NYqTidhlWYMvU7eOHk95nvWIeiHnPKg8uALaavyIfeuh_x4WoC2ig/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> We did make some time for some R&R and had a lovely time out at La Petite Chappelle and Hill 314.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v0hzoPbiyXLedK2xksZcaCLnhkWDyAwUsdpqiu9e0Bqa2MFnKoUy7k7GJwbrPySbSzEfxcx8d8BedKwyCqhuKP73XzCEWeTfpnIHmvXWvEYh1TK6wVMh2_4Pr6FW2lmliS0mphLznpE/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v0hzoPbiyXLedK2xksZcaCLnhkWDyAwUsdpqiu9e0Bqa2MFnKoUy7k7GJwbrPySbSzEfxcx8d8BedKwyCqhuKP73XzCEWeTfpnIHmvXWvEYh1TK6wVMh2_4Pr6FW2lmliS0mphLznpE/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXjm2k-tJDe9KhGXSGLbPlvsOskl7WbvULjp06t2aElBji5tmROjkGzMtO085eZ2lqOpsz5LuFujX0Vhuj5nN-ZYFvfVlUZUlR3wqNpQyi0byI9mCVuuG1fijGNHyL_rq__kLkeKfw_8/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXjm2k-tJDe9KhGXSGLbPlvsOskl7WbvULjp06t2aElBji5tmROjkGzMtO085eZ2lqOpsz5LuFujX0Vhuj5nN-ZYFvfVlUZUlR3wqNpQyi0byI9mCVuuG1fijGNHyL_rq__kLkeKfw_8/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBI0SCnv6II7b2KIQ_3wGXhc0lVWI_uzyGFx_oz63OG5DQ2a6pHPiAYOikCt2i85nKRqMXHACjS0Omp9kjXp5IlAiFRGWpSUKc8tKBOELtHwKh0yy1KK8XRXzd3sGwmFJ1ByfIKVNfGM/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBI0SCnv6II7b2KIQ_3wGXhc0lVWI_uzyGFx_oz63OG5DQ2a6pHPiAYOikCt2i85nKRqMXHACjS0Omp9kjXp5IlAiFRGWpSUKc8tKBOELtHwKh0yy1KK8XRXzd3sGwmFJ1ByfIKVNfGM/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a>Having started on the inside, it was a shame to lose the momentum, when Marten and Sally left, so down came the dividing wall. We knew it wasn't supporting, but JUST to be on the safe side, Max took the first layer of blocks under the beam out first. I was wheelbarrow monitor, well for some of the time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YMFfBFAi8TS5Op5xh4Sd3ztC729jmjcyfRK9pT-NowCd6hZ9x7IuCSOzpWSAivQHvyK9XFigqheoz1T1ds01mAhBIMiah79WQWbgUsWI04ZTIftLebrm5iptOSrdHqgc-QmD8KW3MiM/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YMFfBFAi8TS5Op5xh4Sd3ztC729jmjcyfRK9pT-NowCd6hZ9x7IuCSOzpWSAivQHvyK9XFigqheoz1T1ds01mAhBIMiah79WQWbgUsWI04ZTIftLebrm5iptOSrdHqgc-QmD8KW3MiM/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly there....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWO87c_x8KKee3SWYOwOBWbioX-ZgYpBSKtBejAQTljIhAyqkIa_jxqIsSmHfc674RtaHUpNHs_Y2M62xqQ3lTs3kofyCxu6w7OiD5O84tyRS33noazsLPP2UBj8FQVpgW_iYrZqOVIc/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWO87c_x8KKee3SWYOwOBWbioX-ZgYpBSKtBejAQTljIhAyqkIa_jxqIsSmHfc674RtaHUpNHs_Y2M62xqQ3lTs3kofyCxu6w7OiD5O84tyRS33noazsLPP2UBj8FQVpgW_iYrZqOVIc/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....I Want to Break Free... all Max needs<br />the fish nets!!<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKNOyC1jHA_lJTwJ1W3ujjAhXz4hwQRYR1IDLE_5qO0CoP_XP4cJ7yvYlV_mRlizP5hG3eUbaiGL5s-KkYQAKoWNMQqECjsZsKYPt_cQaCEB9SKQSNJxfS6GEG-Wq4u03v9oYuwTyjqI/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKNOyC1jHA_lJTwJ1W3ujjAhXz4hwQRYR1IDLE_5qO0CoP_XP4cJ7yvYlV_mRlizP5hG3eUbaiGL5s-KkYQAKoWNMQqECjsZsKYPt_cQaCEB9SKQSNJxfS6GEG-Wq4u03v9oYuwTyjqI/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting there...........<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
Unfortunately, whoever put the wall up originally really hacked a the beam. so instead of revealing it, we are going to have to re-plaster it instead. <div>
Shame.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073380655462879362.post-61082186181194616042014-10-21T04:50:00.000-07:002014-10-21T05:09:13.807-07:00A Grand Afternoon OutWell today we were going to have an assault on the final patch of brambles but the horrible mizzle has put paid to that. I think we are having the tail end of the hurricane from Bermuda.<br />
<br />
The weekend was a lovely sunny one, and we finally managed to get a trip in to some of the local sites with our neighbours Nelly and Rollande, who split their time between here and Paris. Their house is Rollande's family home, and they spent four years renovating it after he inherited it from his parents. They don't speak English, so a pair of Brit neighbours with dodgy French can't be the easiest to be friends with but they seem to have taken us completely under their wing. Rollande and his family lived in our house during the war, when the Germans took over his and it became a hospital for German soldiers, so I think that they are just pleased that someone has taken the house on, to love it and restore it.<br />
<br />
Here at Le Meslier we are about 800 feet above sea level, so we are privileged with some stunning views and Nelly and Rollande have been trying to take us to some of the local beauty spots for a couple of weeks, but really needed a clear day. Sunday was that day. It started dull and there were some spots of rain in the morning but Rollande was convinced that it would clear up and he was right.<br />
<br />
We started at La Grande Cascade, in the neighbouring town of Mortain and walked down the valley to La Petite Cascade at the bottom. You cannot see any of this from the road, and if it wasn't for the brown tourist signs we wouldn't have know they were there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6l3TJdpUaUoR3nvAXtrVtmUXbJDmLyVwmq-Y7OURGpCwnWlpWINzKx33HV5JlAX0g98n5gf_fd-6x3DQqNg5N60MG7uLRVIW6_U8C-Myflosrc-JFhiYNPYk279B0KojHdVKpLR0Wa8/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6l3TJdpUaUoR3nvAXtrVtmUXbJDmLyVwmq-Y7OURGpCwnWlpWINzKx33HV5JlAX0g98n5gf_fd-6x3DQqNg5N60MG7uLRVIW6_U8C-Myflosrc-JFhiYNPYk279B0KojHdVKpLR0Wa8/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of La Grande Cascade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17OICtxWF1oR70JbeFKBoiEKsAuJ-3mGk9CK8LFtZRuVOC5gmXfbWgcKHtSRwy1ERIFBMDSZAcYdo74lYo6px4jAo1KjRqNwb9fR1U6teNPQHlZAb3YMYb491VAaEjQUw7q50FGM93_M/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17OICtxWF1oR70JbeFKBoiEKsAuJ-3mGk9CK8LFtZRuVOC5gmXfbWgcKHtSRwy1ERIFBMDSZAcYdo74lYo6px4jAo1KjRqNwb9fR1U6teNPQHlZAb3YMYb491VAaEjQUw7q50FGM93_M/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are no barriers here....Health and Safety<br />
would have a field day!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EnU5IweVVRa9MbTlu0SpFeEgcSC7U7RrWJ9DoKRgmYB4rOa8w7s63eFwLFjY5XHByVyKi2OvyvhSElcAkfi0O9vLTmLogaop2umOdsDcQR9RDoV2SmMzQnh_6FqQj4pSM_9-nj_cXg8/s1600/IMG_1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EnU5IweVVRa9MbTlu0SpFeEgcSC7U7RrWJ9DoKRgmYB4rOa8w7s63eFwLFjY5XHByVyKi2OvyvhSElcAkfi0O9vLTmLogaop2umOdsDcQR9RDoV2SmMzQnh_6FqQj4pSM_9-nj_cXg8/s1600/IMG_1531.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB5Zh8PEBty7WGLsxqrjQ9d1oZje7a6On0xmGElRWQIv89moLEIc1_Dq1LA16IBicgXUoAwXrySncYtb-vs0P4YH6WC4bHcdeCsd9ucr9xoPELVE3guNzCkraJwyE77_fT3WMEAvy8tM/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB5Zh8PEBty7WGLsxqrjQ9d1oZje7a6On0xmGElRWQIv89moLEIc1_Dq1LA16IBicgXUoAwXrySncYtb-vs0P4YH6WC4bHcdeCsd9ucr9xoPELVE3guNzCkraJwyE77_fT3WMEAvy8tM/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XTPdEYKklK1D04d0o9jfxMFlUMaD7y6O_sELX9JQ4ck9WQGqcVQx1AFbwqslsRKb6ijgNBV02IvDZ42617GX9M-ceSjUrR3J8owPhjymPbVUfSZgyKZaEF-s04wQryB6gOrnMVQF3OA/s1600/IMG_1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XTPdEYKklK1D04d0o9jfxMFlUMaD7y6O_sELX9JQ4ck9WQGqcVQx1AFbwqslsRKb6ijgNBV02IvDZ42617GX9M-ceSjUrR3J8owPhjymPbVUfSZgyKZaEF-s04wQryB6gOrnMVQF3OA/s1600/IMG_1534.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Laundry where the local women<br />
used to wash the clothes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCJ76iBIcsY9HH_vowI93z6GUFP_gC13kED0x05R0qQi_4WoPOHVRHITmn8IE0eoGuMjHkUAj4REKGYWjEPgXM_s5pMR874nbKqwwMGkXmx8eIIReh-Y5mHeQWAqfjdTigQDWwwLmUwI/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCJ76iBIcsY9HH_vowI93z6GUFP_gC13kED0x05R0qQi_4WoPOHVRHITmn8IE0eoGuMjHkUAj4REKGYWjEPgXM_s5pMR874nbKqwwMGkXmx8eIIReh-Y5mHeQWAqfjdTigQDWwwLmUwI/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of La Grande Cascade, a short walk<br />
on the flat now before the next decent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkpubcRpSLXrvWh34VgQS2cqyGV-z9utyI0cSASNZzXRHV5v1mha7S7QeiB1SoZIME9MxgdpdY28H_0k83AWduLbcmVvSvgAasS_x-PVIZaAEMaeHPYeeTaC8LoIFvBtvP5IJoAM3J8U/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkpubcRpSLXrvWh34VgQS2cqyGV-z9utyI0cSASNZzXRHV5v1mha7S7QeiB1SoZIME9MxgdpdY28H_0k83AWduLbcmVvSvgAasS_x-PVIZaAEMaeHPYeeTaC8LoIFvBtvP5IJoAM3J8U/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of La Petite Cascade</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDe6AmcnM_73lcfZeAqL-6HVByEEzQilUIV4QOd6B8kFlMlqObXX9dH-OiqWb-JwbuMSiwyPUOA002y1gV17-UcBE_jDuMsNspbgyLu7rbYVoNI6wBXJORmyaC7CJWEFLCCUqsAMvX7E/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDe6AmcnM_73lcfZeAqL-6HVByEEzQilUIV4QOd6B8kFlMlqObXX9dH-OiqWb-JwbuMSiwyPUOA002y1gV17-UcBE_jDuMsNspbgyLu7rbYVoNI6wBXJORmyaC7CJWEFLCCUqsAMvX7E/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP7o1dKnFPpPbrePNR1KoXDCuzsmLASOtZ_tg-0ikRUHYuVG0ejB9Qh9SncyOH7OZywGfUVcgTm_984rsTV_5t2takyZxjUDLBkSSi3OFQLX7zUV9eZLqhUIhdAp1NsE2rtfbZPsm5RY/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP7o1dKnFPpPbrePNR1KoXDCuzsmLASOtZ_tg-0ikRUHYuVG0ejB9Qh9SncyOH7OZywGfUVcgTm_984rsTV_5t2takyZxjUDLBkSSi3OFQLX7zUV9eZLqhUIhdAp1NsE2rtfbZPsm5RY/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just to the right, this chap wants the quick way<br />
down. Rather him than me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGEeI3xIQDRmdiFswDiK9tQCC1FrWpo9weGNxQ8_FNTTZoT9Z_il3585H6MJNHeu-sV_vrAAM9exG9IBzgiTQPKGvOC8yBQZQpKCov3pIxa0hOymFi-X9bjiW2YR0g4vuB0XnVV_S9c/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGEeI3xIQDRmdiFswDiK9tQCC1FrWpo9weGNxQ8_FNTTZoT9Z_il3585H6MJNHeu-sV_vrAAM9exG9IBzgiTQPKGvOC8yBQZQpKCov3pIxa0hOymFi-X9bjiW2YR0g4vuB0XnVV_S9c/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty blurred but this tower of granite<br />
stands independently and once had granite<br />
steps going around.</td></tr>
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It is all very tranquil at the moment, but I can imagine that in the summer it is heaving with tourists.<br />
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The next stop was La Petite Chapelle. Again, about 800 feet or so above sea level, this was a very strategic point during the war. The Battle of Normandy, took place here between 6-13 August 1944. The Germans defended this position but helped by the Resistance, it was liberated by the Americans but with massive losses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSEm9QwP7X5LfNFJGUp0gh3OaoW3U9ZEkvbPwJ787Gg_xWwySSmYEWQHg8vwVBdrKq1v2NNv7HR1n5xtaTplGH_i4nTrRIZZtFRpoByyD4O6TG5r6KBYVol7CI_b53Squ7JzcOqxOrY4/s1600/220px-Hill314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSEm9QwP7X5LfNFJGUp0gh3OaoW3U9ZEkvbPwJ787Gg_xWwySSmYEWQHg8vwVBdrKq1v2NNv7HR1n5xtaTplGH_i4nTrRIZZtFRpoByyD4O6TG5r6KBYVol7CI_b53Squ7JzcOqxOrY4/s1600/220px-Hill314.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Petite Chappelle.<br />
These are young trees as during the war the<br />
area the woodland was cleared to aid the Germans<br />
view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU-ym6sINkpQT5HD2Rz67km8RGNZx18PX47Y5Yaw4UDU9MjAcx9fjEFgdxC25YiaFQmtjphmdKe4te8ogyPMnaRdz61wDS7U90FKjCUc_2B6zcSvOvhEUqkRPyGGy09-Sr72fbSNrw9k/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU-ym6sINkpQT5HD2Rz67km8RGNZx18PX47Y5Yaw4UDU9MjAcx9fjEFgdxC25YiaFQmtjphmdKe4te8ogyPMnaRdz61wDS7U90FKjCUc_2B6zcSvOvhEUqkRPyGGy09-Sr72fbSNrw9k/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill 314. <br />
Very important, whoever controlled this hill,<br />
controlled the valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI6zt8y_wfQtc0MqPtU-fKvB_hgJzuufd1ZmDLVfwrF-UeNuWxxc7CUaIfr4jkM6u5mFX-VDRk-aQPMhTW9pVrdzNuQy50-NUFRBin2Z1tcr3-5Ra9LKN5dNZayTjAL_7n_KcrMJ-fBA/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI6zt8y_wfQtc0MqPtU-fKvB_hgJzuufd1ZmDLVfwrF-UeNuWxxc7CUaIfr4jkM6u5mFX-VDRk-aQPMhTW9pVrdzNuQy50-NUFRBin2Z1tcr3-5Ra9LKN5dNZayTjAL_7n_KcrMJ-fBA/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tell the story better than I ever could.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQ0ch0W-h56qYzeQ5s8ngDYiBrbUG89Y9Kt5kljVYjUg66ZElA0O5JAtUMlmovu1xYy-KaEFL6d7149eh3ZGQ25NLd_6SaL5dCLYQCqZR7d5E3pbQiIYexbOBUd9xLlzcdFYGcIMRTzA/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQ0ch0W-h56qYzeQ5s8ngDYiBrbUG89Y9Kt5kljVYjUg66ZElA0O5JAtUMlmovu1xYy-KaEFL6d7149eh3ZGQ25NLd_6SaL5dCLYQCqZR7d5E3pbQiIYexbOBUd9xLlzcdFYGcIMRTzA/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In hommage to the soldiers of the 35th Infantry Division<br />
'Santa Fe', which from the 10th to 13th August 1944<br />
managed to free the survivors of the 'lost batallion'<br />
at the cost of heavy losses.<br />
REMEMBER"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial to the American Fallen</td></tr>
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The viewing point here has amazing panoramic views, and on a clear day it is possible to see Mont St Michel, about 40km, in the distance.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max with Nelly and Rollande at the viewing point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust me, that very tiny smudgy triangle in the distance...<br />
is Mont St Michel!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRNIQ_S7-D_8_35V4Od8EatuvHem8HSnkCnvOy2xpqnAZTcecYZ89WXBPUT__DkLEtB_YtezWjOePg62D0UrS92jB1Os5ZOcNbVyRhCHdsyaEUSEy-rBP8CRBgSUU73DXumbdKByJsM/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWEBymHiECJHqd4Xeh4PD42t7KKA6tVPBdm2YDxqRK0rik6npIUToYjeqBegdOcKl_FGwcWtoWqvV2YI4Umx_XXc04JBlHGQB3mjyshUxELUyZRlMK8T3zxX5ALImOtmtuZEHUica9LY/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWEBymHiECJHqd4Xeh4PD42t7KKA6tVPBdm2YDxqRK0rik6npIUToYjeqBegdOcKl_FGwcWtoWqvV2YI4Umx_XXc04JBlHGQB3mjyshUxELUyZRlMK8T3zxX5ALImOtmtuZEHUica9LY/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: start;">Hill 314 from the other side</span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRNIQ_S7-D_8_35V4Od8EatuvHem8HSnkCnvOy2xpqnAZTcecYZ89WXBPUT__DkLEtB_YtezWjOePg62D0UrS92jB1Os5ZOcNbVyRhCHdsyaEUSEy-rBP8CRBgSUU73DXumbdKByJsM/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></div>
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A glorious afternoon was finished off in typical French style with a glass of chilled pear cider.<br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073380655462879362.post-62472995618547319182014-10-09T02:02:00.000-07:002014-10-09T02:02:41.932-07:00Autumn is making an appearance.After a long Indian Summer September, Autumn has started to make itself felt. The leaves are turning, the apples are ready to be harvested and we are getting the odd day of driving rain, which fades out into that horrible mizzle, which seems to get into your very bones.<br />
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Here at Bonkers Farm, we are still trying to do as much outside as we can before the really bad weather sets in. The assault on the Brambles continues. I think we are going to be trying to get rid of these for the rest of our lives, but we have managed to clear out the bank by the barn drive and it is amazing just how much ground we claim back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvqhTfn4hBvS2gPuYThNLB3ptd8oXpjEE3VmShbcTfGFJyIFwWvCxZReKNM6ln402QC22se0cYgl6h0J7A7BfxDgTwqVWtFPBMGghBdkUCPFRaZ28kOZxGsDCznGg0gaXDAm9W4SkrA0/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvqhTfn4hBvS2gPuYThNLB3ptd8oXpjEE3VmShbcTfGFJyIFwWvCxZReKNM6ln402QC22se0cYgl6h0J7A7BfxDgTwqVWtFPBMGghBdkUCPFRaZ28kOZxGsDCznGg0gaXDAm9W4SkrA0/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The piano is the first off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaNdyp_P01PXecGHPVsFKMXuFn49AeA_PfI2PU89uM5jAnsGeAd6MATik8p70YsGZyDCFyp6obJiP7u5QYBp7TkliYQTe8ePke4ZYFF0bVK8pmLVzFE95OWVOVNfOBd9WazNo1Qj2C8w/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaNdyp_P01PXecGHPVsFKMXuFn49AeA_PfI2PU89uM5jAnsGeAd6MATik8p70YsGZyDCFyp6obJiP7u5QYBp7TkliYQTe8ePke4ZYFF0bVK8pmLVzFE95OWVOVNfOBd9WazNo1Qj2C8w/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Garage Sale" anyone?</td></tr>
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Finally our furniture arrived. If anything was going to advertise that the Brits are here is was the huge Britannia Removal Van! In fact, a couple who had managed to squeeze by on the day stopped yesterday to say hello as we were clearing the drive. We do give ourselves some time off and we did get to the Vide Grenier the other Sunday. We immediately reverted to type, and I bought a French painted stool, that needs upholstering and a quilt and Max bought a Sound System and a pitchfork. Though if you look at our garage now the furniture has arrived you would be forgiven for asking if we really do need any more stuff!<br />
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The Vide Grenier was on one of those horrible mizzle days that I was talking about and it really is a "clear your attic". Held in the streets of one of the nearby village of Vengnon, the locals had literally opened their doors and out up a trestle table. One had opened up as a bar and their front room was full of locals having a beer. I think if our French had been better we would have joined them. <br />
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I was mooching at this stall with the stool, which I knew was being sold by some Brits and Max was browsing a collection of garden tools they had and he just happened to be wearing his "Castles" T-shirt.<br />
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Man: "Is that Castles in Christchurch?"<br />
Max: "Yes I worked there for four years."<br />
Man: "Do you know Barney?"<br />
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Turns out they are from Southbourne and have had a home here for twenty years! What are the chances?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHw8ainG-YrdMwbQl_bmNQn5WCOd3IGhkmr2ppDxYeatLwEF9cWZNeSv5JG1UVEVPCJ16-FZMlC74YCCCTp5j3y1fgAMDzwYefKkZGf-l4cQ8MMFP4zbZRhkazuJ0GeXQwqBgeWcFoKI/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHw8ainG-YrdMwbQl_bmNQn5WCOd3IGhkmr2ppDxYeatLwEF9cWZNeSv5JG1UVEVPCJ16-FZMlC74YCCCTp5j3y1fgAMDzwYefKkZGf-l4cQ8MMFP4zbZRhkazuJ0GeXQwqBgeWcFoKI/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Present from my lovely friend Nicola Hancock, <br />Can't think what she means!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOtx9_FXWQcsScXq709lPDhcqwpO6kqOuKg_IVnVmzbAX_LznK5jSCRmIRMMgY5dy4JLjT6_eLaNrSYNRp9BNMdZwWHjc-SisBVabF8kSHgd-1loIqrLqnlr9iENkqBY-GCZm-h-Kx-Q/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOtx9_FXWQcsScXq709lPDhcqwpO6kqOuKg_IVnVmzbAX_LznK5jSCRmIRMMgY5dy4JLjT6_eLaNrSYNRp9BNMdZwWHjc-SisBVabF8kSHgd-1loIqrLqnlr9iENkqBY-GCZm-h-Kx-Q/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pleeeease let me in!"</td></tr>
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The cats have all had their various operations and the girls had their stitches out. All ready for their assault on the local wild life, along with our new family member Bill. This poor little chap had been hiding under our hedge for the past few days, although looking back we think it could have been longer. Well it was heartbreaking to hear him, and he kept sitting on the window cill playing with the gang of four through the window. Of course, it was no time at all before he had weedled his way in and had his own little cushion in the dining room. We let them all meet a couple of days ago, and apart from a little bit of hissing all seems to have settled down and Bill is now one of the family. But that is it! No more cats. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjvdrt6C8BU5bV569ijfjsVk8Ltg89hiapKUzXhunOe-LhsKYdZR-ctU8PeByBiGaVhT71imUgTNAkswUe1A04qpMld12CgmpYTcwxiMir5-Qqf4d9U5ZqjJ4vKXL9dW43pTgAETyXlo/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjvdrt6C8BU5bV569ijfjsVk8Ltg89hiapKUzXhunOe-LhsKYdZR-ctU8PeByBiGaVhT71imUgTNAkswUe1A04qpMld12CgmpYTcwxiMir5-Qqf4d9U5ZqjJ4vKXL9dW43pTgAETyXlo/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally a guest bedroom<br /></td></tr>
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Bonkers Farm has also had its first visitor. There is nothing like the imminent arrival of a visitor for the incentive to sort out the guest bedroom. Jo Mansfield arrived at Cherbourg and we drove up to collect her. It was lovely to have someone else see our home. She said very nice things to our faces......As Jo is a big walker it gave us the opportunity to explore the local walks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUiz_io8dOEQdaIpDQlqxN9nQV3hMXwYrxx3BQrTpRwp2VO8ghD1TQF1246PiXqpWfYPuiS3gyBviZjZaoQc7XyWUu0EiaR441dbY33mjSzGXzafTx7kLnHkkRK5X3cRXMbo2Hy6K-vo/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUiz_io8dOEQdaIpDQlqxN9nQV3hMXwYrxx3BQrTpRwp2VO8ghD1TQF1246PiXqpWfYPuiS3gyBviZjZaoQc7XyWUu0EiaR441dbY33mjSzGXzafTx7kLnHkkRK5X3cRXMbo2Hy6K-vo/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back to the start<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_OVOpCyA4Aui-IVF9hyphenhyphen88aM6-xLy9gcCagoIFfqc3JKqcBmOTFRDA_e9fnDfg2jmf632WIYVBFRs1JCvGwJTyNYgF4sCh4JosmOVsIZlnEv-fOxCKVBYyKxy523kVDb0KMax9ecT0z4/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_OVOpCyA4Aui-IVF9hyphenhyphen88aM6-xLy9gcCagoIFfqc3JKqcBmOTFRDA_e9fnDfg2jmf632WIYVBFRs1JCvGwJTyNYgF4sCh4JosmOVsIZlnEv-fOxCKVBYyKxy523kVDb0KMax9ecT0z4/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonkers Farm from the old railway line</td></tr>
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The old railway line used to run at the top of the hill. It stopped being a passenger line in 1938, then took freight three times a week, then finally that was stopped in 1988 and the line was taken up in 1997. It is now part of a picturesque walk /cycle way that links up with others in the Vire Valley. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSace-r9mEb1dDmxRFP2yJ_xiNwuOdBSRuHK-Oc81zuvqPrhO-WU8dJyKijCBjIzmN3s2LpajmFh624mqVJjThl_eR0sClOssUSmJZSkA08yLZ4DcCX_onWCySpUc_yyRk6MVvcbQ_44/s1600/015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSace-r9mEb1dDmxRFP2yJ_xiNwuOdBSRuHK-Oc81zuvqPrhO-WU8dJyKijCBjIzmN3s2LpajmFh624mqVJjThl_eR0sClOssUSmJZSkA08yLZ4DcCX_onWCySpUc_yyRk6MVvcbQ_44/s1600/015.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old Station at <br />Mortain/Le Neufbourg</td></tr>
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From the top of "Bonkers Hill" to the old Mortain/Le Neufbourg station is 7km....and we did there and back! I think I am even shorter now that I was before. It certainly is the furthest I have walked for a long time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlpzLgxUrnA0vUHgA_Jp4PKDfL8pq3uGhjiZFX324H53Rki9HCbLOgRysNAsUE8SttySzI5uivhicfGlLX9DT0DvtgSVyyvAgnHb4kaaSRi9L-gOInlO7z779KjnU41cDdgbwR7mzbf8/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlpzLgxUrnA0vUHgA_Jp4PKDfL8pq3uGhjiZFX324H53Rki9HCbLOgRysNAsUE8SttySzI5uivhicfGlLX9DT0DvtgSVyyvAgnHb4kaaSRi9L-gOInlO7z779KjnU41cDdgbwR7mzbf8/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Gun emplacement</td></tr>
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Wherever you go in this area there are reminders of the Nazi Occupation and here at a neigbouring barn is the remainder of a German gun emplacement. It is a perfect location, looking right down over the valley, protecting the area from attack by the Allies. It is very similar to those found all over the Channel Islands. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xm2NBOWXpptvEFXUnf6QkoXNKu275M_Q0HYl7wQaJfgSCwcPN0zQLpUo9Eil4sCVXVKCscNO6keOAnyJ2tuV1pa6meVp7MCVtzCTt_juZqHX4NjkEgvt7eK9QyXF9bf3cFD9yqjzaLY/s1600/IMG_1511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xm2NBOWXpptvEFXUnf6QkoXNKu275M_Q0HYl7wQaJfgSCwcPN0zQLpUo9Eil4sCVXVKCscNO6keOAnyJ2tuV1pa6meVp7MCVtzCTt_juZqHX4NjkEgvt7eK9QyXF9bf3cFD9yqjzaLY/s1600/IMG_1511.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on our Railway walk. We THINK<br />is a white truffle but there is now way we<br />taking a risk on it!</td></tr>
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We know that our neighbour Roland, lived in our house during the war because the Germans took over his, but seeing this brings it home as to how real this all was.<br />
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A couple of years back, Max and I were in a show with songs from both World Wars. One of them was "The Folks That Live Up The Hill". It is a real dirge, and not a song I enjoyed learning. Elaine Paige played it on her Sunday programme and Max turned to me and said " I guess we are now the folks that live up the hill!" and I guess we are.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL5_6DSCEv0UxSIGe-J7UWk879wJEngwiazAVp5O7_oPDYDPpp8HB9Ub6cjfkfVkW6kucKokK6pL6p8hz0nGJ6Ja5X6TR_J8Fz4Hg5ubSBAe2pwZK5XOJpU7Sn9O4JgnDIeb4wBsbYVE/s1600/022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL5_6DSCEv0UxSIGe-J7UWk879wJEngwiazAVp5O7_oPDYDPpp8HB9Ub6cjfkfVkW6kucKokK6pL6p8hz0nGJ6Ja5X6TR_J8Fz4Hg5ubSBAe2pwZK5XOJpU7Sn9O4JgnDIeb4wBsbYVE/s1600/022.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonkers Farm at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073380655462879362.post-37198947913096342442014-09-20T10:18:00.000-07:002014-10-21T04:51:14.970-07:00A Move, an Ensilage.....and introducing Harry.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t6kszvNQN1pbimxkUur82Ds4haIGMAavmefreqt-oi9hmkdYf1SVSCRYu96DesW4N86JZIVaemqAsnnN84b2JIkuQv_mhmodzfYjyvyBZlfm7k1bdjE9Sk1ntlXxsszx8qbjIbgmpXE/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t6kszvNQN1pbimxkUur82Ds4haIGMAavmefreqt-oi9hmkdYf1SVSCRYu96DesW4N86JZIVaemqAsnnN84b2JIkuQv_mhmodzfYjyvyBZlfm7k1bdjE9Sk1ntlXxsszx8qbjIbgmpXE/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pile of Tabbycats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Well we have move in.
We always said that the day we caught the kittens was the day we would
move and by sneakily feeding them in the cat boxes we just shut the doors and
into the car they went. They were so
good and only one of them started crying towards the end of the 2 ½ hour
journey, and I think that was because the poor little thing had been sick. So safely ensconced at Bonkers we now have
four house cats, who show no signs of really wanting to go out. They have turned into lap cats and it is almost
as if it is a case of “ we have done the living under the bush, eating squirrel
and rat and now we want cushions and cuddles!”</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5jBz5yqDeeuGPsLxF7lmFvBXgwMTb0fPoFk09PWV9qUijOhPKXNjRGhC5EI-MdfjAa6sHat1aQgAXLI5UHtuXsd-462v0aguc6t4b4SBTp2Wrcpr6VfdTKMvhr-dcKNVrO8wB_BnJ4A/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5jBz5yqDeeuGPsLxF7lmFvBXgwMTb0fPoFk09PWV9qUijOhPKXNjRGhC5EI-MdfjAa6sHat1aQgAXLI5UHtuXsd-462v0aguc6t4b4SBTp2Wrcpr6VfdTKMvhr-dcKNVrO8wB_BnJ4A/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The not so "Secret Garden"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfCc-8mHZ_lqP5jYWLVdeWtJ9UU2oiQ_Ez4vJyObyzLn5xbyFsZt-zpdOilc8VVm9izIIQqi0jvEPSr-zvAtsPc1yolwsBBkUWb5xUp_QbL2DWiwU0F0cKU2G_ylv8IPLXJiBbf9MN3I/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfCc-8mHZ_lqP5jYWLVdeWtJ9UU2oiQ_Ez4vJyObyzLn5xbyFsZt-zpdOilc8VVm9izIIQqi0jvEPSr-zvAtsPc1yolwsBBkUWb5xUp_QbL2DWiwU0F0cKU2G_ylv8IPLXJiBbf9MN3I/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Enid Blyton Mushroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The weather has been so good here. Much better than the summer, and reminded us why we always chose
this time of the year to visit Normandy.
So whilst the good weather holds, we are going as much as we can in the
garden. “Secret Garden” is not
completely clear but at least we can see the hedges. </div>
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Our neighbours have told us about the people who lived here
before us. Not the Brits who we bought
the place off and for one reason or another, had let it all to get overgrown,
but the couple before that, who had a rose garden at the front of the house and
a vegetable garden in Secret Garden. As
that is what we have planned it was good to hear that we are turning the gardens
back to how they were. Not sure that we
will get veg next year though. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ot5rZxfDGrIFFDTUfU1qiSt35mIE3S3XdLwGVGR6himwU9GX0uDhLHyAYrvXw6U21t69jAQ8IMsxfswxIzZYIHJcrLg6i3TTPwcvzIwsrv8XK2ITVq0Ia00FTOjBRurlhUZlcdXMTSU/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ot5rZxfDGrIFFDTUfU1qiSt35mIE3S3XdLwGVGR6himwU9GX0uDhLHyAYrvXw6U21t69jAQ8IMsxfswxIzZYIHJcrLg6i3TTPwcvzIwsrv8XK2ITVq0Ia00FTOjBRurlhUZlcdXMTSU/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max getting "Tooled up"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Oyp4CVS5V-7nPlbEHf6CLlMStVBBQ22NezL6XPiUJcVCYSrAqQzZP7BmmeQSlE_c3Kba9VcdzMrs-rbGswydi1TYe3CXwDHGPeJIJud-OVm1obXnI-TL5w46brsWKo6LQHwqUnt8S5s/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Oyp4CVS5V-7nPlbEHf6CLlMStVBBQ22NezL6XPiUJcVCYSrAqQzZP7BmmeQSlE_c3Kba9VcdzMrs-rbGswydi1TYe3CXwDHGPeJIJud-OVm1obXnI-TL5w46brsWKo6LQHwqUnt8S5s/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max going in for the kill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The front has had a major massacre and we found a vine peach
tree and roses, which we have cut back, hopefully to become bushes again. I say “found” our next door neighbour Nelly,
is very knowledgable about the house. Her
husband Rolande grew up in the hamlet and was billeted in Bonkers during the
war as the Nazi’s took over their house. Nelly has taken me around the garden
telling me what fruit trees we have hidden.
Vigne de peche (vine peach), Quetsche (a small type of plum that I think we would call a Damson) Noisette (Hazelnut) and
something that the French call Le Neflier.
This turns out to be a Medlar tree, an ancient fruit tree that I have
heard of but never seen. So plenty of
jam making opportunities for next year me thinks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA7Z2GoME54KzuibyS574mhPoVgeesQJQsOjZX19hdiH7ueJ6aseYEO8RSO5-nxUf5PmdjDahVouOOQ9rkyaDdObtq-X3TCcWdLlfXb_el67lap_KH6lDkr8IXIiVEgwQAAME02tYATU/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA7Z2GoME54KzuibyS574mhPoVgeesQJQsOjZX19hdiH7ueJ6aseYEO8RSO5-nxUf5PmdjDahVouOOQ9rkyaDdObtq-X3TCcWdLlfXb_el67lap_KH6lDkr8IXIiVEgwQAAME02tYATU/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a>Sunday saw the excitment of the Fete Ensilage, literally translated as "silage" so we didn't know what to expect. In fact it is a Tractor festival, or Sourdeval's answer to the Dorset Steam Fair. I can't believe that we waited around in a field for two hours to watch a load of old tractors parade up and down a dusty field. I think there is more to it than that, as it went on until late in the evening (we didn't) and when we passed a couple of days later there was a beautifully harvested field.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXwGJ-ANe4K2P3BzNsKKxrirJJTMLoYHv4kapNaRnEIHx3eLREs9tkF_FBs5sONcDdjlAt3q8KOqYYWuRh1BF5MbRK3ixJNcHEq03CKSTyuFEGSeg8qRGU80KlsR2d6H0Iz3hlJ-n57Y/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXwGJ-ANe4K2P3BzNsKKxrirJJTMLoYHv4kapNaRnEIHx3eLREs9tkF_FBs5sONcDdjlAt3q8KOqYYWuRh1BF5MbRK3ixJNcHEq03CKSTyuFEGSeg8qRGU80KlsR2d6H0Iz3hlJ-n57Y/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTKR9U-jXc2pk5zOslGj4ofRT4IsV1p8sP2w4MNnxlR2hC9b9T5KZY5qxu4orYhZgWb2OsvYZwbqzmrsWF72uKoA4SAmGSO18OdmHBubksQRuDv_RplvlaVm4Jbup9jIeyJD7Lp_IYjI/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTKR9U-jXc2pk5zOslGj4ofRT4IsV1p8sP2w4MNnxlR2hC9b9T5KZY5qxu4orYhZgWb2OsvYZwbqzmrsWF72uKoA4SAmGSO18OdmHBubksQRuDv_RplvlaVm4Jbup9jIeyJD7Lp_IYjI/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a>No not something for the children, a whole load of tractors to collect!</div>
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My turn next Sunday it is a Vide Grenier (empty attic sale.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4Yk4Pv0YO8gxL2EVH9rc-oiid_1TUwQXWDdX9y2qqq4HXQ5tpcvubkuERAdNFBbYmrcMDf4w06HQpzvL8h-A31CCs4ryasbCoOeavlOUC03hUuOFhfru6xgMlYRKmKAfqlxTCiP59Qs/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4Yk4Pv0YO8gxL2EVH9rc-oiid_1TUwQXWDdX9y2qqq4HXQ5tpcvubkuERAdNFBbYmrcMDf4w06HQpzvL8h-A31CCs4ryasbCoOeavlOUC03hUuOFhfru6xgMlYRKmKAfqlxTCiP59Qs/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
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Highlight of the week</div>
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has been the delivery of Harry,
our tondeuse autoportee (sit-on lawn mower) and Max’s new toy! We needed something beefy to cope with our field and Harry certainly is that.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytzkqWSI71xD_UxIXKvP-UA9YiXQoEir_wG0F4JdYVQYrlxuqECfqe7BUzIVohRDTPnsRzAsqnvMSUQz3OhFUMTy7m2_pl7N0p4sPahsEe7acbkovQXY5XW76Hvy7mw2-mYcyfGE1jRw/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytzkqWSI71xD_UxIXKvP-UA9YiXQoEir_wG0F4JdYVQYrlxuqECfqe7BUzIVohRDTPnsRzAsqnvMSUQz3OhFUMTy7m2_pl7N0p4sPahsEe7acbkovQXY5XW76Hvy7mw2-mYcyfGE1jRw/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please can you clear the ivy off our chimney while you are up there?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The telephone line was put in on Thursday. Great excitiment, they had to actually lay
new line from the main road to get us attached. Though about asking him to remove that ivy for us whilst he was
up</div>
there, but thought that might be pushing my luck!<br />
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The next big excitement is our furniture arriving on
Tuesday.</div>
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073380655462879362.post-24883569208785910012014-09-09T06:53:00.000-07:002014-09-09T06:53:08.405-07:00Introducing “Bonkers” Farm<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKCelWAOVjpqiIWRUrHGF99XrcFgoeGrKfij4z3TTMx36GmmSFRGXp_j2WJ_WQZExXdBshfIh1Eq8H6D5COAHtuIyjoOU9uO5E0EEgMGA6RGISIGqVUyCgOucJcSVDgwnx5fkr2rLfUI/s1600/Bonkers+Farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKCelWAOVjpqiIWRUrHGF99XrcFgoeGrKfij4z3TTMx36GmmSFRGXp_j2WJ_WQZExXdBshfIh1Eq8H6D5COAHtuIyjoOU9uO5E0EEgMGA6RGISIGqVUyCgOucJcSVDgwnx5fkr2rLfUI/s1600/Bonkers+Farm.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We hesitate to give our
new home this title formally, just in case the word “bonkers” has a derogatory
meaning in patois Normandy, but this is what amongst friends we are calling our
new home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVllweBXe9sm_YaLKo1lXLOmOvKGTjGFiO4ZD-EVVfmDeUcql-F2aMW2eNBRL0StYYWVWH9ZPqWI_qOICrEPs4JWttFG3EOQIM6r4DFqstd-041SkK4ED6oZ99JtlcH1HtKFikIGXbWXk/s1600/P1010003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVllweBXe9sm_YaLKo1lXLOmOvKGTjGFiO4ZD-EVVfmDeUcql-F2aMW2eNBRL0StYYWVWH9ZPqWI_qOICrEPs4JWttFG3EOQIM6r4DFqstd-041SkK4ED6oZ99JtlcH1HtKFikIGXbWXk/s1600/P1010003.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeR-gNJhneW5QLi4CeiC85YCuwhWyZbIW-H9yVoEyVtp56QY6hy_KG3_7T-Ghuryv-2Y5Gv4r7ZlIwLOy1sqFXo7y-WRqez0I_E8oIR9CR01QF5vDDEezp4hze-7kSGXLvctdXDFvPN4/s1600/IMG_1360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeR-gNJhneW5QLi4CeiC85YCuwhWyZbIW-H9yVoEyVtp56QY6hy_KG3_7T-Ghuryv-2Y5Gv4r7ZlIwLOy1sqFXo7y-WRqez0I_E8oIR9CR01QF5vDDEezp4hze-7kSGXLvctdXDFvPN4/s1600/IMG_1360.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> “Bonkers” is a traditional stone Normandy house dating from 1751. About four of the houses in our small hamlet have these stones in the wall. They give the name of the people who built the house and the date. We are one of the oldest but our neighbours have a barn which is about 100 years older.<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Situated in a small, and I mean small, hamlet about 1.5k outside the
market town of Sourdeval, we are about an hour drive from Cherbourg, Caen and
St. Malo. The Normandy beaches are
close by, as is Bayeux, Barfleur and the beautiful coastline of <i><span style="background: white;">Côte des Îles</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> (Islands Coast) facing the Channel Islands
and lower down, their French counterparts Les Îles Chausey.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QD59eBl80-pR-bD_tJc09ZqKsTYBifrXai1mOBPYFIjomf-yX__Ok_Xoh5s3k50IiJPy5NSZ6OCis2D-vuDlrDu7fhqR4_AYoiS7FlzNGmvRMd6Ul6UimjMcC1jMpAZY4cUuuBX-9Iw/s1600/patton+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QD59eBl80-pR-bD_tJc09ZqKsTYBifrXai1mOBPYFIjomf-yX__Ok_Xoh5s3k50IiJPy5NSZ6OCis2D-vuDlrDu7fhqR4_AYoiS7FlzNGmvRMd6Ul6UimjMcC1jMpAZY4cUuuBX-9Iw/s1600/patton+014.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Why “Bonkers Farm”? Well contrary to popular belief, it is not
because we are bonkers to buy such a big project, but more due to the face that
the current layout of the house is completely bonkers! Who but the French would have a oil tank in
the middle of a potentially, huge, kitchen?<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM4zLjFnwZ4APPIM_yoxunMUtIZ36QtWNoHozz8nqysch5Gn4_td5rapM_WNYD49V6JUhIDMICaC9-_tL6b-9dpUfHaq4z9kNGvRutGiqHJbWc2XHP_qvJsTEaNcucN_SdscHZ0-C8aI/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM4zLjFnwZ4APPIM_yoxunMUtIZ36QtWNoHozz8nqysch5Gn4_td5rapM_WNYD49V6JUhIDMICaC9-_tL6b-9dpUfHaq4z9kNGvRutGiqHJbWc2XHP_qvJsTEaNcucN_SdscHZ0-C8aI/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMSpHChlgWuPSMdLLqf6LVmtsLIIHJEv6lkMZ06-Y65ZTRAG9BlKeGF6ktV3dfilZWqZItNUj8WdSjDeMsIIDV546vkQfOP5vXbwJBvtq1kpAs-diHgiPrX8JtM-IC5UyPaizkemrv9U/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMSpHChlgWuPSMdLLqf6LVmtsLIIHJEv6lkMZ06-Y65ZTRAG9BlKeGF6ktV3dfilZWqZItNUj8WdSjDeMsIIDV546vkQfOP5vXbwJBvtq1kpAs-diHgiPrX8JtM-IC5UyPaizkemrv9U/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We
managed a good day in the garden on Saturday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We
started to clear the "Secret Garden"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unlike the Frances Hodges
Burnett book of the same name, we haven't found a sleeping garden, with a swing
and a robin, more a complete tangle of brambles. But hey, look we found
the gate!</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Max made a start with the
diesel strimmer and I am taking over from here with the manual blades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmae0y8rnJHdQP2lDqJqLbNNnXyN6rH1pHPa_doEFWH5Ze-AQXiutssIe-aky3z80u4weEtr2C1QXlnRZcgcZ-tFqmlHgBHiNIE7He2UOQTG1vZvo7CSccR9_Jw5FbIUMwNz3Z1fUDnIA/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmae0y8rnJHdQP2lDqJqLbNNnXyN6rH1pHPa_doEFWH5Ze-AQXiutssIe-aky3z80u4weEtr2C1QXlnRZcgcZ-tFqmlHgBHiNIE7He2UOQTG1vZvo7CSccR9_Jw5FbIUMwNz3Z1fUDnIA/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I found the sweetest
little birds nest, perfectly formed. It
was a shame to chop the brambles down around it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgnl_VhTryFqfpimEd1uT5G2hiuL2C8ISfjX7dmHrrbd50h83VdhyOCts_bz_JLxEj-nOBxW0BLzokQKl_TMNp38geHPDlsSO7ubGmv1daUMz34WOeUn2Babyardr4M7f0o3PZ68U_f4/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgnl_VhTryFqfpimEd1uT5G2hiuL2C8ISfjX7dmHrrbd50h83VdhyOCts_bz_JLxEj-nOBxW0BLzokQKl_TMNp38geHPDlsSO7ubGmv1daUMz34WOeUn2Babyardr4M7f0o3PZ68U_f4/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We are the last house in
the small hamlet. So small that the
houses don’t have numbers, it is all done by name. A bit concerning as we are new and haven’t actually moved in yet.
Our worries about the postie finding us were unfounded and mail has
arrived. What were we worrying about? The only English in the village, of course
he would find us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjPAAfVC88vF7Mbms1085hn8h1P31xkFBzwqSJtqdaHdhftwVjPodhRyBM_vu__638fWWSHOLwJ-Pc75XPXhNP0ckWNZ_eQwrwJ5gHkHNZC7Y2ZHPCA3zSldiT3FYo8z-UN3yt7uH038/s1600/2014-05-24+14.56.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjPAAfVC88vF7Mbms1085hn8h1P31xkFBzwqSJtqdaHdhftwVjPodhRyBM_vu__638fWWSHOLwJ-Pc75XPXhNP0ckWNZ_eQwrwJ5gHkHNZC7Y2ZHPCA3zSldiT3FYo8z-UN3yt7uH038/s1600/2014-05-24+14.56.58.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc6e5aNw-UE5OltdNcwn41DEtRWVSWw6MBkmrOjFaCnQmG_VpXsc57j5a0iDLStcBB-4YEUhaMZALkZH1V8BrNp2nBk_5gajnLXCbrft1JL927trZ5So-X_icjiAj0g5SU09-yOvdXjo/s1600/2014-05-24+14.57.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc6e5aNw-UE5OltdNcwn41DEtRWVSWw6MBkmrOjFaCnQmG_VpXsc57j5a0iDLStcBB-4YEUhaMZALkZH1V8BrNp2nBk_5gajnLXCbrft1JL927trZ5So-X_icjiAj0g5SU09-yOvdXjo/s1600/2014-05-24+14.57.56.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We are right on the edge of parkland. The old steam line ran at the top here and
much to Max’s dismay the rails and line were removed about 10 years ago and now
and the area is awash with walking routes.
We have one of the resting spaces right at the top of our hill, with
panoramic views. We intend to bring a
bottle of wine here on our first evening, and celebrate the start of our Big
French Adventure.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYiB7Fj0KiawxMNo1Vmh0ApOFKfxQ0aamoVSbCYqdj1gVvNLX1Yh0q_RRQ2KC6g_wiNhLO0iXh-XiHZ8K2lGkc0bAfzWbU2QP5kXfRA5aZcAqnilJed4zGOskDDy8_rtvr0lI8T4ZPB0/s1600/2014-05-24+14.57.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYiB7Fj0KiawxMNo1Vmh0ApOFKfxQ0aamoVSbCYqdj1gVvNLX1Yh0q_RRQ2KC6g_wiNhLO0iXh-XiHZ8K2lGkc0bAfzWbU2QP5kXfRA5aZcAqnilJed4zGOskDDy8_rtvr0lI8T4ZPB0/s1600/2014-05-24+14.57.09.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXkXhmXjP4-bRFSoLWX6zhVJUrfzT66p6wwFTyMS3R0dDehLaM38JQyPuwThQkkQco2QJ523HIn5YFoKc4S7GVp0MqCHKG6UqN9jTzQevC-Jsh44wTe8mdcpmvLycXryj4mb2NnwhObE/s1600/2014-05-24+14.57.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXkXhmXjP4-bRFSoLWX6zhVJUrfzT66p6wwFTyMS3R0dDehLaM38JQyPuwThQkkQco2QJ523HIn5YFoKc4S7GVp0MqCHKG6UqN9jTzQevC-Jsh44wTe8mdcpmvLycXryj4mb2NnwhObE/s1600/2014-05-24+14.57.05.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498088224693070498noreply@blogger.com2